Uma's battle continues...
Donation protected
Meet Uma, a beautiful 4-year-old from Melbourne. She loves playing with Barbies and riding her pony and she desperately needs your help.
In 2020, at only 2 years old, Uma was diagnosed with a serious form of childhood cancer (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia). Although this period was extremely difficult (not only for Uma but her parents & older sister too), she fortunately responded well to the chemotherapy, and after almost 2 years, was finally due to finish all treatment in October 2022.
However unfortunately, in May 2022, while in for a normal routine check-up, the doctors gave the devastating news that Uma had relapsed, but this time with a different, more aggressive type of leukaemia (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia). The doctors believe this mutation of cancer is likely a rare side effect of the initial treatment itself.
Once again, she has responded well to the chemo, however without a bone marrow transplant it is highly likely she will relapse again. Just last week she was rushed to hospital on two separate occasions because she had a seizure, which is where she currently remains. The chemotherapy in her brain is toxic and is causing the seizures, along with many other issues throughout her body. This is why the situation is so urgent - she can’t afford to relapse and have any more chemo. She needs the transplant as soon as possible.
Despite Uma being born in Australia and living here her whole life, because her parents are Italian and here on a working visa, her care is not covered by Medicare. For the last 2 years their private health insurance has covered most of her treatment, but sadly transplants are not covered and the estimated cost is $300,000 – and this does not account for any complications!
The hospital has also just notified the family, that due to decisions made from higher up, without at least a 50% up front deposit, Uma’s treatment will be put on hold.
Uma’s family has lived here in Australia for 7 years and are working towards their permanent residency. Giuseppe is a partner in a business with his cousins, pays tax and employs 20+ Aussies. The business is still young and was impacted heavily by COVID. Their family are active members of their local community and contribute to society, but still because of the complicated visa situation, they are not covered by Medicare for this life saving treatment.
Giuseppe, Lucia, Solejai and Uma are of course devastated by this news and are now reaching out to the community to help cover the cost to get Uma the treatment she needs.
In 2020, at only 2 years old, Uma was diagnosed with a serious form of childhood cancer (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia). Although this period was extremely difficult (not only for Uma but her parents & older sister too), she fortunately responded well to the chemotherapy, and after almost 2 years, was finally due to finish all treatment in October 2022.
However unfortunately, in May 2022, while in for a normal routine check-up, the doctors gave the devastating news that Uma had relapsed, but this time with a different, more aggressive type of leukaemia (Acute Myeloid Leukaemia). The doctors believe this mutation of cancer is likely a rare side effect of the initial treatment itself.
Once again, she has responded well to the chemo, however without a bone marrow transplant it is highly likely she will relapse again. Just last week she was rushed to hospital on two separate occasions because she had a seizure, which is where she currently remains. The chemotherapy in her brain is toxic and is causing the seizures, along with many other issues throughout her body. This is why the situation is so urgent - she can’t afford to relapse and have any more chemo. She needs the transplant as soon as possible.
Despite Uma being born in Australia and living here her whole life, because her parents are Italian and here on a working visa, her care is not covered by Medicare. For the last 2 years their private health insurance has covered most of her treatment, but sadly transplants are not covered and the estimated cost is $300,000 – and this does not account for any complications!
The hospital has also just notified the family, that due to decisions made from higher up, without at least a 50% up front deposit, Uma’s treatment will be put on hold.
Uma’s family has lived here in Australia for 7 years and are working towards their permanent residency. Giuseppe is a partner in a business with his cousins, pays tax and employs 20+ Aussies. The business is still young and was impacted heavily by COVID. Their family are active members of their local community and contribute to society, but still because of the complicated visa situation, they are not covered by Medicare for this life saving treatment.
Giuseppe, Lucia, Solejai and Uma are of course devastated by this news and are now reaching out to the community to help cover the cost to get Uma the treatment she needs.
Organizer
Megan Mahon
Organizer
Melbourne VIC
